Wales 1-0 Macedonia: Simon Church strike means win for Craig Bellamy in final Dragons home game

On a wing and prayer: Simon Church's goal was enough to see off Macedonia (Image: Stu Forster)

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Chris Coleman admitted this victory saved him from the sack but says he may still quit.

Coleman's contract as boss is up next month after a home friendly with Finland following Tuesday's final World Cup qualifier in Belgium.

He has had his backroom staff and methods questioned by Welsh football bosses in crunch talks this month. Coleman even admitted they were ready to pull the trigger if he lost last night after previous defeats to Serbia and Macedonia.

But Coleman's injury-hit side recorded their first win in five games courtesy of Simon Church's 67th-minute winner. Retiring striker Craig Bellamy, 34, laid on the goal in his final home game before international retirement.

And the hosts held on to triumph despite stand-in captain Aaron Ramsey seeing an 85th minute penalty saved.

Coleman, missing 15 players including Gareth Bale, Joe Allen and skipper Ashley Williams, said: "If I had lost this game I would have been out of the door no doubt but we have won it.

"There has been a lot said since the Macedonia and Serbia camp. The contract was there and I was going to sign it but we lost two games and I didn't sign it.

"The FAW will have their ideas and I will have mine. Whatever happens after these two games happens. But my mind is not made up one way or the other.

"I was delighted with the lads given the boys we had missing. I thought we were very good.

"When you have big name players like Gareth Bale, Joe Allen and Ashley Williams the expectation is there but let's have them all the pitch to give us a chance."

End on a high: Craig Bellamy played his final home game for the Dragons (Image: Stu Forster)

James Collins returned at centre-back after making up with boss Coleman following a selection row.

But Macedonia should have taken the lead in the 29th minute. Centre-back Nikolce Noveski found himself alone in the box after beating the offside trap when a corner was not cleared properly.

The defender then rounded Wayne Hennessey but shot horribly high and wide, to the dismay of boss Zoran Stratev on the sideline.

Wales had chances as Bellamy tried his luck from distance and Hal Robson-Kanu appealed in vain for a penalty.

The Dragons continued on the offensive after the re-start and David Vaughan hit the bar.

But they were not to be denied in the 67th minute when Church converted a Bellamy cross after good work by Ramsey.

It then needed a decent save by Wayne Hennessey from Goran Pandev to thwart the visitors.

Wales had a chance to seal the points in the 85th minute when Bellamy fed Ramsey who was tripped. Ramsey elected to take the spot-kick himself ahead of Bellamy, who clearly fancied it.

And the in-form Arsenal midfielder saw his low right-foot effort saved by Tome Pacovski to the keeper's right.

But fortunately it did not prove costly as the hosts hung on to win the game and move off the bottom of Group A.

Wales now visit freshly-qualified Belgium. "I hope they will have been out partying - I'll gladly pick up the tab," Coleman added.